190 Phillips, Migration of Anatidce in Massachusetts. [April 



with the first five year period — 2166 as against 5045. It is 

 true that we have 25 per cent less days of actual observation in 

 the last period, but a glance will show that this paucity covers 

 dates mostly outside the high tide of migration, the month of Octo- 

 ber and early November furnishing of course by far the most of the 

 duck records, while by late November the migration of all save 

 a few Black Ducks, Sheldrakes, Whistlers, Buffle-heads, and 

 Green-winged Teal, is over. Geese do not figure very largely in 

 these totals, as in a previous paper I have noted that the coastal 

 flight is well to the eastward of Wenham Lake. 



I do not believe for a moment that there is an actual diminution 

 of fowl nearly as great as these figures suggest. The periods con- 

 sidered are much too short for actual comparisons of this sort. 

 I know for instance that we have to consider the periods 1900-04, 

 which an examination of the records of several clubs at Currituck, 

 N. C, show to have been one of great abundance, for the surface 

 feeding ducks at least. The season 1909-10 stands out above all 

 others for one club which has kept a record since 1888-89. Fluc- 

 tuations in numbers may last for one or several years. 



Other factors, such as the increase of boating, and the placing 

 of a great number of electric lights about Wenham Lake, have 

 undoubtedly tended during the last five years to discourage fowl; 

 but in spite of all this I cannot but feel that there has been an 

 actual decrease of the migration wave for this locality, perhaps 

 amounting to 20 or 25 per cent. 



Some of the individual records given below are embodied in 

 Townsend's ' Birds of Essex County.' 



Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). The total number taken for 

 the entire period is 33. Not many more are noted. The Mallard 

 occurs in little scattered flights which extend over two or three 

 days, during which nearly all the gunning points get one or two. 

 They have never occurred in September, and usually not before 

 October 12 or 15. During the years 1900, 1905, 1906, 1907 and 

 1908 none were noted at all. 



Black Duck (Anas rubripes Brewster). Occurs occasionally 

 in considerable numbers during the latter part of September, but 

 for the last five years there have been very few noted. On years 

 when Black Ducks are numerous there is always a good showing 



